The most necessary, most difficult and principal thing in music, that is time.

I have never written the music that was in my heart to write; perhaps I never shall with this brain and these fingers, but I know that hereafter it will be written; when instead of these few inlets of the senses through which we now secure impressions from without, there shall be a flood of impressions from all sides; and instead of these few tones of our little octave, there shall be an infinite scale of harmonies - for I feel it - I am sure of it. This world of music, whose borders even now I have scarcely entered, is a reality, is immortal.

Forgive me, Majesty. I am a vulgar man! But I assure you, my music is not.

Music is my life and my life is music. Anyone who does not understand this is not worthy of God.

You know that I become quite powerless whenever I am obliged to write for an instrument which I cannot bear.

God is ever before my eyes. I realize his omnipotence and I fear His anger; but I also recognize his compassion, and His tenderness towards His creatures.

If people could see into my heart, I should almost feel ashamed - all there is cold, cold as ice.